I opened my eyes,

to see that I was still lying on the shore of the lake. Unlucky, I had hoped it was all just a big dream and I was gonna wake up back home in my… bed? I don't remember. Whatever. 

I try to get up, but my whole body was aching. Yeah I thought so. I'll just continue lying on the sand. A bit uncomfortable, though. I can feel sand in bum. I need a distraction. Maybe scouting my area a bit. What can I see from here? 

I see the green sky, two birds up there too. I see the lake, black as ever. And a little to the left is the beast- AH! Oh never mind just its… severed… head… 

Yikes. 

Did it get decapitated during the fall? Unlucky. 

The two birds from the sky land on it. They look like vultures with a bit of blue added to them. Then they open their beaks and reveal tentacle tongues. 

What did I expect? 

They begin eating the head. Their tongues moved like worms slowly licking the head off. It looks so disgusting. I was about to look away, when suddenly two big claws pop out of the head from the sides and grab the birds by the necks, then drags them into the lake. What the hell? A crab inside a head? This place is really messed up. I should probably move away from the water. And so I did. I was a bit lazy and instead of getting up just pushed myself up. Bad idea this coarse sand is so rough, like sandpaper. Heh-heh-heh, sandpaper. 

Alright, I should try and get up. But I'm just so tired. 

"Hey." 

Huh? A human voice? A real human is near? A real- wait a moment, I shouldn't be so careless. Eh, I'll wait for him to approach me. If he is another monster… guess I'll die. "Hey. Are you a monster?" 

"Eh? Me?"

"Well is there anyone else standing near? Genuine question by the way." 

"I meant- *sigh* no. To both questions."

"Great, can you tell where I am?" 

"Eh? Are you blind? Can't you see the black lake?" 

"*Yawn* So? A black lake isn't much for me to go off on. Just tell me what country I'm in." 

"What? How did you even get here in the first place?" 

"I don't know." 

"Eh? Whatever, have you seen a red haired man around here somewhere?" 

"No, only human I've seen- no I haven't even seen you. Are you real? Or am I just imagining someone?" 

"Of course I am. *Sigh* Where are you from? Do you at least know that?" 

"Earth." I answered, intending it as a joke. 

"You sure?" What's with the tone shift? 

"Yeah?" 

"This complicated things. I'll have to talk with the higher ups. Can you walk? Or maybe you don't mind waiting here? No, I don't think that's a good idea. But I can't take him back either." 

"Hey! Don't leave me here! Give me some clothes at least. And food. And water. And tell me where the closes city is!" 

"Maybe I'll just knock you out? The higher ups can deal with this." 

"On the other hand I think I'll wait for you here. Don't even give me water, just food is enough I think. And maybe clothes..." 

"But how would I do it without giving you permanent brain damage?" 

"Wait, hold on. I thought about it just now. I don't think I need water anymore."

"Maybe I'll just do the usual."

"Did I also mention clothes? Yeah forget about them too. Actually I think I remember which way I came from so if you don't mind I think I'll just get go-" 

In that flash instance I was able to see a foot wearing a brown sandal flying towards me. I wasn't able to even finish my sentence before he delivered a blow straight to my chin. It probably also hurt a lot, luckily I didn't have to feel it. Well, sweet dreams to me. I guess.

I saw a dream. 

In that dream there was a hospital bed. 

Beside that bed were standing people.

Two guys and an old lady. 

Someone was on the bed. 

An old man. 

He looked tired.

Exhausted. 

He was… dying. 

Unfortunate. 

They all cried. 

I watched them, and couldn't help but shed tears myself. 

Out of nowhere, things became dark. 

Shadows extended and covered the entire room. 

From the wall opened up eyes. They all stared at me. 

Followed by an echoing voice, nightmarish even. 

"Ahhh, the little vessel came into being." 

The eyes squinted almost as if smiling at me. 

"So then, the final act is at hand." 

They shut close. 

Then the dream was over. 

I wake up, again. This time however, I wasn't drowning in a river or next to monsters. At least I hope so. 

I think I had a weird dream, I can't seem to remember it.

"Final act is at hand…"

Why did I say that? Ominous. Anyway, right now I am in a stone room. Below me is a mattress made from thatch by the wall with the window on it. Although I wouldn't even call it a window, more of a little gap from which light came through. On the opposite end was a heavy, iron boarded door with a little hatch. I tried standing, then I felt a tug on my hands and heel. Chains were mounted to the wall.

So I was taken prisoner. 

Unfortunate. 

This complicates things. 

Well, at least I finally got some cloth to cover myself with.

I tie the short cloth, meant to serve as my pitiful bed sheet, around my waist like a towel. It barely covered my knees. 

Rude of my captors to not give me proper clothing. Well then, guess I'll try to see what's out side the cell. 

I think I can still reach the crack in the wall. 

I get on my tiptoes and get only a peek of the sky as well as subtle understanding of the outside. Few things to note were the colour of the sky being much brighter and warmer beige. The air was warm too, and most importantly, there were sounds. People chattering. I'm in a city! That's good. I can finally talk to someone. I'll explain to them my situation and hopefully get some answers to my questions. But what questions should I ask? 

Well, for starters, where am I? 

How… did I get here? 

What was that monster? 

Why- do I feel so sick? 

How do I- 

No wait where is Isaac and Oscar? 

And how do I get back home? 

I think this mental list of things should do it. I just hope I remember them in the same order. I could also throw in a few in between questions, like why is the sky so weird? Some requests for food and water. 

And normal clothes! 

And all that other stuff that I-

"I am telling you that it's not a good idea." A voice complained outside. It was sounded a bit muffled and echoey as if someone was wearing a helmet. A knight maybe? 

"Relax. I know what I'm doing." Also man's but much more robust. 

"Please think for a moment, are you sure you want to confront him alone?" Who is the weird man?

"Are you doubting my abilities?"

"No but I think you should let the interrogators proceed first!" He sounded commanding. Who are they talking about? Not me I hope? 

"Stand down warden. I got orders from the higher ups." 

Knock-knock. Knock-knock. 

"Goooooooood morning!" 

Oh it's me isn't it! Of course it is! Alright then, I need to proceed. But how do I want to do this? Should I pretend to be sleeping? Should I reply? If I reply should I sound confident? Would that ought me as a threat? Maybe I should be polite. No but that could make me look weak! What do I do?! What do-

"I'm coming in!" 

He opens the door and before myself I see a man past his 30s. He had a short, spiky, ginger beard. His hair was tied back. His big, green eyes were shining. And lastly he was smiling wide. 

"Ah they're weird man, I didn't think you were awake. Apologies for the rude entrance." He was very expressive, all his words were in tune with his body language. Almost as if he wants you to read him. 

Rude entrance? Was this guy trying to get a peek on me naked? Who the hell is the weird man here! "You entered thinking I wasn't awake?" I say with a disgusted expression on my face. 

"Oh uh… no I think there has been a misunderstanding. If you wouldn't mind I could kindly explain-" 

"…" 

"Oh, uh right. Well then I can leave you for another- uh no I don't think I can actually. Ah whatever! Greetings there weird man my name is Ren. I'm here to greet you and find out what, where, who, why and how. You wouldn't mind answering a few of my questions now would you?" 

This is my chance to get answers. "Sure but then you wouldn't mind answering mine, right?" 

"Oh? I see. Alright then how about this, we take turns asking questions and answering them. Of course the value of answers only depends on how the other has answered them. If you understand I would like to start us off." 

He's trying to control the conversation, but I need to ask the first question if I wish to get something. I don't know how valuable he will see my answers as. "Actu-" 

"First question. Who are you?" Of course. 

"I-" I need to give him something. Something that has value. But who am I? A son? A brother l? Just a normal guy? Is answering in broad terms helpful? I have to. I don't have anything else. 

"Well?" 

"I am a man." Way to go dumbass. 

"*Sigh* That's how we doing it? Well your turn then!" 

Well not sure how he will respond. "Where am I?" 

"In a cell."

… 

Alright I can still recover from this. I need to figure out how to get most value. Think. Think. Think. Just think. Be smart.

"Second question. Where did you come from?" 

I don't know. I was… somewhere? What exactly does he want from me? A country? A city? A place? I can only tell him that I don't know! Or mention that I woke up in a river next to the forest. Is honesty a good play for me? Should I make up an answer that will satisfy him? But I don't know anything! I don't know what to tell him! 

"You are taking a long time." 

"I don't know, I woke up in a river next to this forest place and a wheat field. Then I was running away from a monster that led me to a tower which was badly secured and then the monster made it fall and then I fell into this murky black lake. And then I woke up on the beach where some guy found me!" Deep breath in. That was a lot. Please just give me something in return.

"… I see. So your turn." 

Alright, what do I want to know. Need to be specific with my question. What do I need to know. I made a list of things didn't I? How did I already forget? "How did I end up in this place?" Wait no-

"Well the way you explained it just now. And then one of our men picked you up and brought you here." Good job me. That was the only good information I had on myself. And I wasted it one a useless question! Everything is not going the way I had hoped! "Next question! Were you with anyone else, or alone?" 

I can answer this one. Although not as valuable as the previous one, this maybe the last useful information I can give him. Cannot waste this chance. "Everything I mentioned before, I was alone. But I have faint memory of… uhh two other people. They were my brothers. I'm not sure how I got here but I remember they were with me." I think I'll hold off on giving names. If they find them, I am sure they'll get locked up just like me. But on the other hand maybe it's better than them chancing it off with the monsters out there. I can only Hope right now. "My turn!" Can't waste this one now. Cant repeat questions, I need to have as much different information as possible. Do I want to know who he is? No. Do I want to know what he will do with the information I gave him? Not right now, not unless they find Isaac and Oscar. I do want to know what will happen to me though. It's a safe option to go with and hopefully will get me some more inquiry on my current situation. "What will you do with me?" 

"I'm not sure yet. But most likely just put you to good use!" He smiled and extended his fist. 

Does he want me to fist bump him? No. I don't want to. I'll make it awkward for him. "…" 

"… Fine then, also may I inquire your name? Because we already have a guy named Man. And it be better if we didn't have to get mixed up." 

Oh. A name?